For those who live far from the nearest fire station and have crops, livestock or buildings at risk, a high pressure portable fire fighting pump can help save lives and property in case of a fire. The pumps are lightweight and can be used to fill firefighting hoses and spray water at the flames from a distance, helping firefighters to get closer to the fire and extinguish it quickly. They also allow homeowners to tackle smaller, localized fires before the fire department arrives.
Choosing the right fire fighting pump depends on the potential fire hazards and the availability of water supplies, as well as how much power the pump needs to operate. Portable pumps come in two varieties — UHP and HP — and there are many factors that influence which one is best for the job at hand. The selection process starts with evaluating the potential fire hazard and the capacity of the water supply, followed by considerations such as nozzle size, hose size and a host of other features.
Fire fighting pumps are available in a wide range of pressure systems and sizes, from those suited to residential use with nozzles capable of spraying water 30 to 40 feet away to those with 1100 psi for structural attack. There are also pumps that can be used to pump water into elevators for evacuation, as well as those with higher pressures designed to support firefighting operations in skyscrapers and other tall structures.
When buying a portable fire fighting pump, there are several important specs to consider, including PSI and GPM. PSI refers to the pressure per square inch, while GPM relates to the number of gallons per minute that the pump can push through the hose. GPM and PSI are especially important when looking for a firefighting pump, as the higher the psi, the more force the pump can deliver.
The WICK UltraFlo is an all-in-one high volume, high pressure pump that aims to meet the requirements of both structural firefighters and wildland firefighting teams for initial attack, transfer and ground sweep applications. The new pump uses a two-stage pump end to deliver more water at higher pressures. The company claims that it can be built into rapid response trucks or UTV units for remote water transfers and firefighting at high elevations.
This small pump offers a lot of power in a compact package, and it has a nice flow rate for such a low-pressure unit. It can be easily carried by a firefighter, and it has the ability to work as a backup for hydrants or other water sources in emergencies. The only downside to this model is that it doesn’t come with a roll cage, so users will need to plan on affixing it to a trailer to get it to and from a water source. The discharge port and suction ports both utilize a regular thread system, so you can buy the hoses of your choice to match up with it.
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